On May 12th, more than 120 players gathered at Legends at Chateau Elan in Braselton for the Northeast Georgia Health System Foundation's Cheryl Shippey Memorial golf tournament. When the day wrapped up, our community had raised more than $330,000 to support the expansion of the Emergency Department at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton. That expansion is set to open later this summer, and what it will mean for families in and around Braselton is significant.

NGMC Braselton opened in 2015, and as the community continued to grow around it, it became obvious the hospital would need to expand to meet the needs of the community. The expansion project will double the number of treatment rooms in the Emergency Department, for a total of 46. When those doors open this summer, neighbors who once waited too long for care will have the space and the resources they deserve.

This year, tournament co-chairs Jim and Audra Edwards, along with their dedicated committee, gave their time and energy to make the day run beautifully. We are so grateful for their leadership and their belief in what we're building together. We are also grateful to our presenting sponsor, Jackson EMC, and to every business and individual who stepped forward as a sponsor this year. Your investment went far beyond a single event. It went directly to the people who will walk through those Emergency Department doors this summer looking for help. In addition, we are so thankful for all the residents of the Stroll communities that support NGHS through employment, donations, sponsorships, and volunteering.

The tournament carries a name that means something. Cheryl Shippey was a beloved member of the NGHS Foundation team and a familiar face in the Braselton community. She was instrumental in creating what was then called the Laurel Classic, and her passion for the health of her neighbors shaped everything the event stands for today. We renamed the tournament in her honor after her unexpected passing in March 2023. Each year, the tournament is a reflection of who she was: someone who believed deeply that community care is community love made visible.

This year's results are a testament to that belief. More than $330,000 raised. More than 120 participants. A community Emergency Department set to open this summer. Cheryl would have loved every bit of it.

There are many ways to stay connected to the work of the NGHS Foundation. Make a gift in support of a program or project that matters to you. Honor a physician, nurse, or care team member who made a difference in your life. Explore corporate partnership opportunities that align your organization with the health of our community. Whatever path you choose, your gift directly supports the projects and programs that serve your neighbors.

Learn more and get involved at nghs.com/foundation.